Envelope opener



June 15 1926- 1,588,829

E. WOOD ENVELOPE OPENER Filed June 4, 1925 I N V EN TOR. Z3672) 2 0 0 Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES EVANS woon, or Janna,- IDAHO.

\ v ENVELOPE OPENER.

Application filed June 4, 1925. Serial N o. 34,926.

This invention relates to envelope openers.

More particularly the invention relates to an envelope opener designed to shear a very thin strip from the end of an envelope positioned on the opener.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved general construc tion of devices of this character.

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of gauge arrangement for such devices.

A third important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of cutter blade guide for devices of this kind.

A fourth important object of the inven tion is to provide an improved arrangement of scrap receptacle for envelope openers of this type.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent. the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like char actors of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away and showing the improved opener.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial side elevation of the opener showing the scrap receptacle dropped in full lines and raised in dotted lines. I

Figure 4 is a detail section on the line 44 of Figure 1.

In carrying out the invention there is provided a base plate 10 and to the forward edge of this base plate a shear blade 11 is firmly fixed in position by screws 12 countersunk in the blade so that their heads will not interfere with the passage of the movable blade. Adjacent one front corner of the plate 10 is a pivot post 13 whereon is pivoted one end of a shear blade 14, the blade having its lower edge beveled and sharpened as at 16, so that it passes smoothly over the fixed blade 11. The hand portion of this blade passes between two guides to hold it firmly against blade 11. One of these guides consists simply of an angular member having a horizontal portion 17 fixed to a projection 18 extending forwardly from the corner of the base 10. The other guide comprises a Z-shaped member having a base 19 secured to the base 10 and upright portions 20 extending in parallel spaced relation to the upright portions 21 of the first guide member and, at the top of the portion20 a flange 22 extends over the space between the upright portions 20 and 21. By means of this construction when it is desired to sharpen the blade 14, the same may be removed from the rest of the device by simply removing the pivot bolt 23. Secured to the side edges of the base 10 is a frame 24, the frame being removable and tiltably attached. to said edges by thumb screws 25. This frame is provided with a bottom 26 and constitutes a scrap receptacle.

Attached to the blade 14 is a pair of spaced stops 27 which are secured in position by the bolts 28. These stops may. if desired be swung up to lie entirely in front of'the blade or may be swung down, as shown in Figure 2, to form stops for use when opening envelopes. For instance. with the stops swung-down an envelope is placed on the base 10, the blade 14 being raised, and this envelope is then pushed up .until it engages the stop. Thus only the mere edge portion of the envelope will be 1n position for cutting and when the blade is depressed, the envelope will be cut open without danger of damaging the contents. On the contrary, if it be desired to trim such articles as photographic prints the stops 27 may be turned out of position and the print manually adjusted over the front edge of the base 10 to cut off as much as may be desired. The device thus has a double function.

There has thus been provided a simple and efiicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invent-ion without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore. desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a device of the kind described, a base, a knife pivoted above one edge of the base, acooperating blade secured to said edge, and a plurality of stops pivoted to the knife on the side remote from said edge and movable to project below the cutting edge 01% the knife or to swing above said cutting ec ge.

2. In a device of the kind described, a base, a knife pivoted above one edge of the base, a cooperating blade secured to said edge, a plurality of stops pivoted to the knife on the side remote from said edge and movable to project below the cutting edge of the knife or to swing above said cutting edge, a guide enclosing the handle portion of said knife, and a scrap receptacle pivoted to the base and projecting in front of the knife carrying edge.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EVANS WOOD. 

